The Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road is a cycling route from JR Iwase station to JR Tsuchiura station and continuing to Lake Kasumigaura loop. The stretch between JR Iwase station and JR Tsuchiura station is 40km and the loop around the lake is about 100km so the total return trip is 180km.
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Map of Ring Ring Road from JR Iwase station to JR Tsuchiura station
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We only did part of the straight route and part of the lake so we covered only about 50km. Here’s a video of our trip.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
We based in Tsukuba because we needed to meet a dear friend. Tsukuba is not the best starting point for this cycling route because we had to cycle 10km to intersect at a part of the Ring Ring Road since public transport connection between Tsukuba and Iwase or Tsuchiura is poor. We took a taxi from JR Tsuchiura station back to Tsukuba (¥3400). When we told the taxi-driver our destination, he smiled happily and said Arigatou!! 🤣🤣
A better plan will be as follows:
Use Mito in Ibaraki as a base. Mito can be accessed from Tokyo directly via JR limited express train. If you are coming from Haneda airport, take the Keikyu line to Shinagawa then change to JR limited express to Mito. The whole journey from Haneda to Mito is about 2 hours. From JR Mito, take JR train to JR Iwase to start the cycling route to JR Tsuchiura (about 40km) then continue on to Lake Kasumigaura. The whole lake is about 100km so you can just do a section and turn back to JR Tsuchiura which was what we did. We cycled a section to a seaside restaurant for lunch and up to the windmill before turning back to JR Tsuchiura.
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| The Old Tsukuba Station. The green cycling path used to be the railroad. |
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| Mount Tsukuba |
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| Clearly marked route |
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| Such adorable design on the railing |
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Cycling by Lake Kasumigaura
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| JR Mito station |
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| JR Tsuchiura station stamp |
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| JR Mito station stamp |
Make sure you search for the Mitochan manhole cover while near the station because it's really cute. Mito was quite badly affected by the earthquake in 2011 and after rebuilding the city, Mitochan was introduced as the mascot in 2013 to revive the city. Her distinctive hair is in the shape of natto packaging.
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| Mitochan safety barriers |
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| Mitochan endorsing a local sports event |
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| The famous Mitochan manhole cover |
The Mitochan manhole covers are so popular that the tourist information counter at JR Mito gives out these cards with the GPS coordinates of the location of the manhole covers and the GPS coordinates actually work!
We didn’t have to walk very far from the station to the location. Just walk in that direction and you’ll see a row of Mitochan manhole covers.
If you are in Mito during Ume Matsuri 梅祭り plum blossom festival (in late Feb/Mar), it is worth making a trip to 偕楽園 Kairakuen to enjoy a picnic under the plum blossoms.
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| There was a Hinaningyo Matsuri (Doll Festival) at the adjacent shrine |
About an hour drive from Mito is 筑波山Tsukuba san which can be climbed all year round. If you do not want to climb, there is a ropeway near one peak and a cable car near another peak. Tsukuba san also has Ume Matsuri in Feb/Mar nearer to the cable car side. There are also hotels on the mountain where you can spend the night and enjoy 露天風呂 rotenburo outdoor onsen overlooking the mountain.
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| We had a seat with a lovely view |
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| Oshiruko |
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| There was a wedding couple |
Here’s a suggested itinerary to explore this part of Ibaraki:Day 1 (Hotel in Mito)Fly to HanedaTake keikyu line to Shinagawa (Tokyo) and transfer to limited express to Mito (total about 2 hours 4200¥)Put luggage at hotel, take out bikes, shop for food, cycle to Kairakuen and have picnic under plum blossomsCycle back to JR Mito, look for Mitochan manhole cover, check in to hotel, rest, dinnerDay 2 (Hotel in Mito)Wake up earlyBring bikes and snacks and take train to JR Iwase (about an hour)Start bike course and cycle 40 km to JR Tsuchiura stationContinue cycling to Kasumigaura lakeLate lunch at lakeside restaurantCycle the entire lake (100km) or just a section to the windmill (5km) then back to JR TsuchiuraTake train from JR Tsuchiura back to JR Mito (about an hour)Day 3 (Ryokan at Mount Tsukuba)Rent car and drive to Tsukuba san (about 1 hour)Leave luggage at ryokanHike up mountain or do a combination of cable car and hikeMountain top open air hot spring overlooking the townDinner at ryokanDay 4 (Hotel in Mito or Tokyo)Return car at MitoContinue to stay in Mito or head to Tokyo
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